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N.C. bishop resigns, admits misconduct

Mark William Menees, bishop of the North Carolina Synod, resigned May 25 after admitting to sexual misconduct with an unmarried adult woman for whom he had pastoral responsibility. Menees also resigned from the ELCA ministry.

The relationship occurred over a period of years prior to his election as bishop in 1991.

"Before I became bishop, I violated my accountability to the Triune God, to the whole church and to my wife and family," Menees sa id in a written statement. "Because of that transgression, I have resigned my positions in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.